HST 38 special

[SteadyD]

Has anyone noticed that after firing a cylinder of HST 38s the next cylinder full doesn’t always want to seat easily, regardless of what you’re reloading with?

I’ve now tried the HST 38s on four different revolvers and after a cylinder or two the next reload doesn’t drop in cleanly. They have to be (lightly) pushed in. It’s most noticeable when using a speed loader as they are being gravity fed.

This doesn’t happen with any other ammo I have tried, and I have tried numerous types. Any thoughts on why this is?

I should point out there is no issues with extraction when using them.

 

[Gordon]

Like trying to drop in .22LR after shooting shorts ? Maybe the blast products tend to accumulate right above the case since there is no bullet protrusion. I' shoot them, but sparsely and haven't noticed anything like that

 

[Pat Riot]

Are you talking about the HST Micro shown here?
https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/tested-federal-hst-38-special-p/

I tried this ammo. I did notice cylinder build up after a couple of cylinders when inserting other rounds. That didn’t concern me as much as trying to reload the cylinder with HST with a speedloader and individually. Getting them to slide right in was interesting as they don’t have that nice curve of a bullet poking out to help align the round when loading.

Neat concept, but I passed after a couple of boxes.

 

[SteadyD]

Those are the ones. I was using them as the initial load and carrying a traditional hollow point for a reload. I’ve since quit using them.

 

[Buckeye63]

The HST load is my carry ammo in my Charter Police .. for the speed strip I carry Remington
125gr +P
According to Gel-tests in functions well . even though listed as +P .. recoil is similar to standard pressure

 

[golden]

I have not noticed a problem in my .38 Special or .357 magnum revolvers. I am with Buckeye63 on my guns as well. HST in the gun and REMINGTON 125 grain +P in the speedloaders.

Jim

 

[Riomouse911]

The HST in .38 is a fantastic concept, and I think you’re all right on using a more “loading friendly” bullet style to follow up in case a reload is needed.
Unless you’ve chamfered the charge holes like a funnel to quickly load wadcutters, or even sharp-shouldered SWC bullets, is tough with a speed loader or strip.

Stay safe.

 

[38riverrat]

They are too expensive to shoot multiple cylinders full!
I shoot a cylinder full when I go to the range, except that they are not available at this time. I have two cylinders full left, for my 442 and my 640 Pro. I carry different ammo for reloads, in any case. I figure that if the first five don't get the job done, I will try something different. I currently carry Buffalo Bore 158 gr Outdoorsman semi wadcutters in my speed strips. Ammo diversity!!

Best,
Rick

 

[TTv2]

It could be that the case that Federal uses with this particular ammo is shorter than standard (Hornady does this with their revolver brass all the time) and the shorter case creates enough of a crud ring in the chambers to cause an issue with longer, normal length cases.

I have no knowledge that the .38 HST uses a shorter case, but it's possible that Federal does use a short case as sometimes a shorter case can be beneficial for pressures or consistencies from shot to shot. Also, short cases extract/eject easier than longer ones.

 

[golden]

TTv2,

It is possible that the case is shorter, but I believe the problem is that the bullet is shaped like a can. It is much harder to speedload a load of fired cases than loaded ones with roundnose or jhp.

Jim

 

[sabbfan]

The cases are normal length, I just finished reloading some along with other mixed brass with 158 LSWC. I have found the rim is bigger than other brass, my 7 shot GP100 won’t fit them when they are next to each other. It’s the only brass I have found it doesn’t like, other Federal brass fits fine. I ended up with a bunch of it, bought it when Walmart closed out handgun ammo, sold my LCR so I just shot it up and reloaded the cases.

 

[stonebuster]

I shoot a cylinder now and then of HST micro when at the range and haven't noticed the issue you mention. However, the last time I shot a cylinder(five) one round didn't sound right at all almost like it didn't go off. Thought it was a squib at first. When I pulled the target in it was peppered like a shotgun pattern. It seems it opened up somewhere between the cylinder and muzzle. Maybe my gun is slightly out of time? Maybe it's related to what you have noticed with yours?

 

[tightgroup tiger]

You can load your own if want, instead of buying Federal's.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1022626550?pid=683238
Same bullet, Put them in your own 38 special brass and with powder that won't crap up your cylinder. These have a crimp groove so you can load them conventionally instead of wadcutter style.
I could see that these factory loads would not expand the brass out to seal up due to being so deep in the brass with standard brass. If loaded out to the cannular the case should expand out and seal up before the bullet starts to move.
I wonder if they are using wadcutter brass or normal brass for these loads. Wadcutter brass is thinner a lot deeper and the thinner brass would expand out faster to seal before the dirt gets blown back between the cylinder and the case.
I'm thinking out loud here. This would be an interesting experiment. I don't own a .38 spl so I would have to use a .357mag and that would taint the experiment.

 

[SteadyD]

TTv2,

It is possible that the case is shorter, but I believe the problem is that the bullet is shaped like a can. It is much harder to speedload a load of fired cases than loaded ones with roundnose or jhp.

Jim[

I am not reloading with the hst. I fire a cylinder of hst and then reload with a normal hollow point such as golden saber, gold dot, Hornady, and they don’t drop cleanly into the chambers.

 

[Cokeman]

You can load your own if want, instead of buying Federal's.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1022626550?pid=683238
Same bullet, Put them in your own 38 special brass and with powder that won't crap up your cylinder. These have a crimp groove so you can load them conventionally instead of wadcutter style.
I could see that these factory loads would not expand the brass out to seal up due to being so deep in the brass with standard brass. If loaded out to the cannular the case should expand out and seal up before the bullet starts to move.
I wonder if they are using wadcutter brass or normal brass for these loads. Wadcutter brass is thinner a lot deeper and the thinner brass would expand out faster to seal before the dirt gets blown back between the cylinder and the case.
I'm thinking out loud here. This would be an interesting experiment. I don't own a .38 spl so I would have to use a .357mag and that would taint the experiment.

I wonder how blemished they can be and still be sold. Some of those might not have a cannelure according to the description.

 

[Phaedrus/69]

I use HST in all of my 9mms but haven't tried the .38 Special version. Just looking at them I thought loading them from a speedloader or speed strips might be an issue. I don't carry my LCRx all that much but when I do it's loaded with 158gr +P hard cast Underwood.

 

[DWFan]

Yet another version of the reversed HBWC; this time with a jacket (like the old Manstopper bullets). The more things change, the more they stay the same.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I wonder how blemished they can be and still be sold. Some of those might not have a cannelure according to the description.

You don't need to roll crimp with something that travels that slow. I would use taper crimp die on them and just load them. It's an extra die to buy if you don't already have one.
I don't think these 2nds bullets Midway USA have listed are selling very well. They have been there for quite a few weeks.
I doubt anyone knows how to load them or they would have sold out like all the rest of the common bullets have.
At the velocities I load for they wouldn't do me much good except for a good laugh.

 

[Steve C]

Flat nose bullets seated to an OAL at the case mouth are always more difficult to reload quickly using speed loaders or one at a time as the ammo must be aligned more precisely to drop into the chambers. Bullets seated out to longer lengths that have a taper help insertion by self centering the round in the chamber so they drop in more easily.

My solution is to carry the HST in my J frame air weight 637 EDC as its initial load but carry my Safariland speed loaders with Remington Golden Sabers as they chamber much easier and quicker. If a reload is needed in a gun fight a quick load of any ammo is probably more important than being caught trying to get the HST's to chamber by an opponent who intends you harm.